Folding chair



July 26, 1955 H. B. MACK 2,713,890

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Dec. 7, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. l/ALMER 5. MAC/r @TTORNEVS.

July 26, 1955 H. B. MACK 2,713,890

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Dec. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ll/u MER 15'. MAcK position.

United States Patent ans FOLDING CHAIR Halmer B. Mack, Walnut Creek, Calif.,

brook Merrill (30., San Francisco, of California Application December 7, 1353, Serial No. 396,492 Claims. (Cl. 155143) assignor to Hol- Califl, a corporation the forward edge of the seat of the chair so that the canvas may conform to the posture of the user when seated therein. This type of chair is particularly comfortable if lounging and at the present time comprises a popular style of chair for outdoor use and informal indoor use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a frame for the back and seat of the chair which support the opposite ends of a section of canvas, the canvas constituting a sling for the occupant.

A particular feature of the present invention is the fact that the frame is comprised of two main members, one engaging the upper end of the sling and the other engaging the forward lower end of the sling, the two frame members being adjustable through a wide variation to increase the versatility of use of the chair.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that the two frame members may be placed in such relationship to each other that the frame is collapsed in a compact arrangement for convenient storage and transportation.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a novel joint which joint permits a Wide variation of angularity between the two frame members and further permits ready disengagement of the frame members from each other when it is desired to fold the chair to flat position.

A further feature of the adjustability of the two frame members is the provision of a telescopic joint at the rear of the chair, which joint is adjustable to fix the angularity between the two frame members.

Features of the chair are the modern, informal appearance thereof, its compactness when in folded position, the ease with which it may be adjusted in various positions and folded position, and its simplicity of construc: tion.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the chair position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the chair in relatively inclined inrelatively upright Fig. 3 is an elevation of the back of the chair when in folded position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the chair in the position of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective of the joint at the intersection of the two frame members.

The present invention relates to a sling chair wherein the back and seat are formed by a long piece of canvas or other fabric in the shape of a sling 11. The upper end 12 of the sling 11 is curved and formed with a pocket by reason of the provision of a flap 13 of canvas which overlies and is sewn to the main portion at the back surface thereof. The forward bottom end of the sling is also provided with a pocket 14 by folding the end of the canvas back in a second flap.

Two frame members 16 and 17 support the chair. The

" first frame member 16 is an inverted U-shaped piece, the

curved, central connecting portion 13 whereof is received inside the upper pocket of the sling. The outwardly diverging legs 12 of the first frame member may be provided with rubber tips 21 as protective devices. The two curved cross members 22 and 23 are welded or otherwise suitably connected to the first frame member 16 and extend across between the legs 19 of the first frame member. The upper cross-member 22 is located slightly below the bottom edge of the upper pocket 13 and is curved rearwardly so as to accommodate the curvature of the back of the user. The lower cross member 23 is curved downwardly to conform to the seat of the user and is located at about the division between the back and the seat of the chair. The ends 24 of the second cross-member 23 project outward beyond the legs 19 to cooperate in forming the joints 26 between the two frame members 16 and leg 31.

When the chair is in a position for use, the legs 19 of the first frame member are inside the sides 34 of second frame member. At the joints 26 at the intersections of the two members the second frame member 17 rests upon the outward errtending ends 24 of the second cross member 23 which is welded to the first frame member. Thus, the second cross member 23 supports the second frame member 17 vertically at approximately its mid-position. In order to prevent the second frame member 17 from sliding relative to the first frame member 16, an L-shaped piece 41 is welded on each side of the second frame member at a point slightly in front of the intersection of the first and second members extending inwardly and rearwardly. This retaining piece 41 thus passes inwardly in front of leg 19 and then back along the inside thereof and hence prevents .sideward movement of the first and second frame members relative to each other and also prevents rearward movement of the second frame member relative to the first frame member. A second retaining piece 42 extends outwardly and somewhat downwardly and rearwardly from the second frame member at a point slightly ahead of and on the opposite side of the point of connection of the first members to each other so that the chair may be made widely adjustable from the position shown in Fig. l to that of Fig. 2. In all positions of adjustment, however, the second frame member is vertically supported by the first and lateral and forward and backward relative movement prevented. At the same time it will also be noted particularly with reference to Fig. that the first and second frame members may be disengaged relative to each other by lifting the second frame member so that the second projection 42 is out of contact with the end 24- of the second cross-member 23 and pulling the second frame member forwardly and upwardly so that the first projection 41 is disengaged from the leg 19. This enables the chair to be folded to the compact form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 wherein the joint 26 is completely separated.

In order to hold the two frame members in their various positions of adjustment and folding relationship, a telescopic strut 50 is provided extending between the first cross-member 22 and the center of the rear leg 31 of second frame member 17. One end of the strut comprises a tube 51 provided with a T 52 which fits over the first cross member 22 and is pivotal relative thereto. The other portion of strut 50 is a rod fitting slidably within the tube 51 and likewise provided with a T 54 which fits over the mid-point of the curved rear leg 31 of the second frame member 17. In order to hold the two parts of the strut in a position of adjustment, 2. thumb-screw 56 is threaded into the tube 51 and when tightened bears against the rod 53 to hold the rod and tube fixed relative to each other.

In use, the first and second frame members 16 and 17 are placed so that joints 26 are formed on each side as shown in Fig. 5. This permits the two frame members to be angularly adjusted relative to each other but provides a firm support for the user. The angular adjustment of the two portions relative to each other is made by adjustment of the length of the telescopic strut 50. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, when the telescopic strut is elongated, the chair is in upright position, and, as shown in Fig. 2, when the telescopic joint is shortened a lounging position results. When it is desired to fold the chair for storage, screw 56 is loosened, the joints 26 are disengaged, the front of the second frame member 17 is swung upwardly into a vertical position and the top of the first frame member 16 is also swung upwardly into vertical position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The thumb-screw 56 is then tightened to hold the two parts in such position.

Although I have described my invention in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A sling-type adjustable chair comprising an elongated web sling, a first frame member formed of a rigid bar in an inverted U-shape, the ends of said U comprising legs, first means comprising a first curved connecting portion of said U for attaching said first frame member to one end of said sling, a first cross member on said first frame member adjacent the upper end thereof, a second cross member on said first frame member at approximately the midpoint of said legs thereof, said second cross member projecting laterally outward beyond said legs, a second frame member, said second frame member having a second connecting curved portion at one end, a third connecting member at its opposite end and substantially parallel sides connecting said second connecting portion and said third connecting member, said sides fitting outside of and in close proximity to said legs of said first member, second means for attaching said third connecting member to the other end of said sling, a telescopic strut connecting said first cross member and said second connecting member of said second frame member, means for adjusting the length of said strut, said sides of said second frame member resting upon and being supported by the laterally projecting portions of said second cross member when said chair is in body-supporting position, a first projection on said side of said second frame member extending inwardly in front of one of said legs of said first frame member and then rearwardly along the side thereof to restrain said first and second frame members against lateral and rearward movement, a second projection on said side of said second frame member extending behind said laterally projecting portion of said second cross member and rearwardly along the outside of said leg of said first frame member, said first and second projections cooperating to restrain the frame members against lateral movement with respect to each other and against longitudinal movement of said second frame member in any direction, said second frame member being disengageablc from said first frame member by raising the forward end of said second frame member and swinging the same upwardly and rearwardly.

2. A sling-type chair comprising an elongated canvas sling having pockets at each end thereof, a first frame member formed of a rigid metallic bar bent to provide two ground engaging legs and a first connecting portion adapted to fit within one of the pockets of said sling, at least two horizontal cross members on said first frame member connecting its legs, one of said cross members projecting laterally outward from said legs, a second frame member formed of a rigid bar having elongated longitudinal sides joined at the front by a second connecting member adapted to be received in the other pocket of said sling and connected at its opposite end with a curved third ground engaging leg, a telescopic strut adjustably connecting one of said cross members of said first frame and said ground-engaging leg of said second frame member to adjust the relative inclination of said frame members, and a joint on each side of said chair at which said sides of said second frame members intersect said legs of said first frame member, each joint comprising a first and second projection carried by each longitudinal side of said second frame, said first projection extending laterally inwardly and rearwardly relative to said side, and said second projection extending laterally outwardly and forward ly downwardly relative to said side, each said second projection coacting with said laterally projecting portions of said cross member, said joints providing means for vertically supporting said second frame member from said first frame member and restraining said frame members from lateral and longitudinal movement with respect to each other.

3. A chair according to claim 2 in which said joints provide means whereby upon lengthening or shortening said adjustable strut the angles of said frame members with the ground may be adjusted.

4. A chair according to claim 2 in which said joints provide means whereby upon lengthening or shortening said adjustable strut the angle of said frame members with the ground may be adjusted said joints further pro viding means whereby upon lifting the forward end of said second frame member upwardly and then upwardly and rearwardly, said frame members may be folded to compact folded position, whereby said first and second connecting portions are in proximity.

5. A sling-type adjustable chair comprising an elongated web sling, a first frame member having a pair of ground-engaging legs and a top connecting member, first means for supporting one end of said sling from said top connecting member, a second frame member having elongated sides, a first cross member at one end and a second cross member at the opposite end of said second frame member, second means for supporting the other end of said sling from said second cross member, a telescopic strut connecting said first frame member and said se nd frame member, and means for adjusting the length of 'd strut to vary the angular relation between said first second frame members, one of said frame members fitting inside the confines of the other and in close proximity thereto, said frame members intersecting at approximately their midpoints and third means forming a pair of joints on opposite sides of said chair at the points of intersections, one of said frames vertically supporting the other at said joints, each said joint comprising a substantially transverse member connected to one of said frame members and projecting laterally from the sides thereof and on top of which the opposite frame member rests when said frame members are in body-supporting position, each said joint further comprising a first projection and a second projection connected to one of said frame members 10 adjacent said joint, said first projection comprising means for restraining said frame members against lateral movement relative to each other and longitudinal movement in one direction, said second projection comprising means for restraining said frame members against lateral move- 15 ment relative to each other and against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction, each said second projection coacting with a projecting portion of said transverse member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 170,121 Jackson Aug. 4, 1953 1,219,959 Kruger Mar. 20, 1917 2,005,972 Gallop June 25, 1935 2,096,169 Friesner Oct. 19, 1937 2,208,945 Miller July 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 502,236 Belgium Apr. 14, 1951 

